Learn About Our Team

Let the healthcare providers at Palmetto SpOT help find the right solution for you. Our commitment to better communication through speech and occupational therapies is enhanced with our team's dedication to developing strategies based on your needs. A convenient location in Summerville with exceptional services adds to the effectiveness of the care we offer you, your family and loved ones.

The Palmetto SpOT Team

Dr. Kristen Bish

Audiologist / CEO

Dr. Kristen Bish is a board-certified Doctor of Audiology. She received her master's degree in Audiology in 1998 from the University of Buffalo. After practicing for five years, she continued her education and received her AuD. degree in 2005. She had been practicing in a small, private office in Mount Pleasant for four years prior to opening Palmetto Audiology and Speech Therapy, now Palmetto SpOT, in 2006.

Outside the office, Dr. Bish enjoys spending time with her husband Darin, her Children Brianna, Connor and Katie and her grandchildren Asher and Josephine.

Andrea Pilch

OTR Occupational Therapist

Andrea is a certified occupational therapist and has practiced since 1998. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned two bachelor's degrees in Biology and Psychology. She gained her master's degree in Health Sciences and Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina.

She has worked in multiple settings to include acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient care. Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Emily Allen, MA

CCC-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Emily received her undergraduate degree from Kent State University in Ohio, with a major in Human Development and Family Studies. After working as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator for three years, Emily returned to school to complete a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Akron. During this time, Emily participated in the Graduate Consortium in Listening and Spoken Language, which focused on auditory-verbal therapy for children and adults who have hearing loss. Upon graduation, Emily moved to Charleston and began her career as a clinical fellow at Palmetto Audiology and Speech Therapy. In her free time, Emily enjoys going to the beach, and she is looking forward to winters with much less snow!!

Ashley Patton, MS

CCC-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Ashley was born and raised right outside Nashville, TN. She earned her Bachelors as well as her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee. Ashley gained experience in evaluating and treating patients of all ages in schools, geriatric outpatient, and pediatric outpatient settings during her studies. Ashley has a special interest in working with children who stutter, and attends stuttering support groups. In her free time, Ashley enjoys traveling, walking on the beach, doing DIY gifts on her Cricut, and reading. Additionally, Ashley is a big fan of all Tennessee sports teams, especially the Tennessee Vols.

Briana Schell, M.S.

CCC-SLP Clinical Director of Speech Therapy/
Speech-Language Pathologist

Briana Schell, M.S. Ed., CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. She has worked in multiple settings, including home health, tele-practice, and private practice. However, the majority of her experience has been working in outpatient pediatrics. In the early part of her career, Briana worked at a residential school for children presenting with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder, extensively focusing on providing therapy to enhance the students’ functional and social communication. Her most recent certifications include TOTs (tethered oral tissues) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), providing functional communication to children with ASD and delayed echolalia. Briana married her husband, Ryland, an active-duty member of the United States Navy, in 2016. By traveling with him to his various overseas duty assignments, Briana was able to experience working with diverse cultures, including Inuit Tribes of Alaska, Polynesian, Chamorro, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Micronesian.

Briana gained her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from St. Joseph’s College in Long Island, New York. Subsequently, she received a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. Through her experiences, Briana has become PROMPT trained and has received a certificate of clinical competence from American Speech-Language-hearing Association.

Briana enjoys exploring new places with her husband and her two rescue dogs, Jaxson and Darla, when she is not practicing speech therapy. Briana also enjoys volunteering at local animal shelters and shopping to relax!

Hayes Graf

CFY-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Hayes is originally from Orange Beach, Alabama and graduated from The University of Alabama with her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Her clinical experience in graduate school was primarily with outpatient pediatrics, including feeding therapy and with Augmentative Alternative Communication Devices (AAC). She is currently completing her clinical fellowship at Palmetto SpOT. Hayes' motivation for working in the private clinic setting derives from her personal experience with the positive impact an SLP can have on a family. Her younger brothers were not speaking at age three, and she witnessed first hand the fear and uncertainty this created for her family. Palmetto SpOT allows her to have relationships with her clients as well as their families, keeping parents/guardians updated and involved throughout the entire course of treatment. In her free time, Hayes loves to go outside and soak up the sunshine, whether that involves a walk, hike, trip to the beach, or just sipping coffee on the front porch. She loves to read, sing, play the piano, visit with friends, travel, and experience new things.

Abigail D'Elia

CFY-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Abby is a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow at Palmetto SpOT who is passionate about providing compassionate, individualized care across the lifespan. She earned her B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University Maryland and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Scranton, PA, Abby moved to Charleston to join SpOT and enjoy the sunny weather!

Her clinical experiences have allowed her to work with children and adults across a variety of settings, including pediatric and adult outpatient care, schools, hospitals, the NICU, and community-based programs. Her clinical interests include articulation / phonology, language, feeding and swallowing, cognitive-communication, AAC, and aphasia. She believes speech therapy is about more than developing skills—it is about helping individuals communicate, participate, build confidence, and feel supported.

Outside of the clinic, Abby enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, going to the beach, baking, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family!

Sidney McMinn

CFY-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Originally a Virginia native, Sidney completed her undergraduate degree at James Madison University and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Radford University. She relocated to South Carolina to complete her clinical fellowship and enjoy the warm, sunny weather. Outside of the clinic, Sidney enjoys trying new coffee shops, reading, going to beach, taking workout classes, and spending time with friends and family.

Angel Sherrod

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Angel Sherrod is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a South Carolina native. She earned her degree from Trident Technical College in 2022. She has worked in multiple settings including outpatient and acute care. In her free time, Angel enjoys reading, cheering on the Clemson Tigers, and spending time with her family.

Savannah Fletcher

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Savannah is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, graduated from Tirdent Techincal college here in South Carolina. Originally from West Michigan, Savannah has lived here in Summerville since 2018. She has experience in both Pediatric Outpatient and School settings, as well as Geriatric inpatient rehabilitation. Outside of work, Savannah enjoys spending time with her family outside, creating new sewing projects, and searching for good gluten free restaurants around CHS.

Lydia Walker

COTA

Lydia Walker was born and raised Mississippi! She is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a recent graduate. Lydia loves working with her pediatric caseload. She is a huge fan of the Ole Miss Rebels!

Madison D'Elia

M.S., CF-SLP

Madison is a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow and Certified Lactation Counselor who is passionate about supporting infants and families through feeding and lactation challenges. She has a special interest in infant feeding, breastfeeding support, and early swallowing development, and has experience serving families across a variety of pediatric and medical settings.

Madison earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Scranton. Originally from Pennsylvania, she recently relocated to the Charleston area and is excited to serve families in the Lowcountry. Outside of work, Madison enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, running, and being with her family.

Allison Kosinski

M.A. CF-SLP

Originally an Ohio native, Allison completed her undergraduate degree at Ohio University and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from Cleveland State University. She relocated to South Carolina to compete her fellowship and to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather. In my free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, experimenting in the kitchen, taking pilates classes, and making the most of beach days.

Kalee Shortreed

COTA/L

Hi! I'm a 27-year-old Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant, from Hanahan, SC. I have a passion about helping children grow, learn and gain confidence through play-based therapy. I love creating fun, engaging activities that support each child's unique development and enjoy building strong, meaningful connections with the families I work with.

I attended Southeastern College, where I developed the skills and knowledge needed to support children across a variety of developmental areas as an OTA.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, thrifting, getting creative with crafts, making fun drinks, traveling, and spending time outdoors. I also love expressing myself through tattoos and spending time with cat, Ozzy.

Jessica McCants

COTA

Jessica McCants is a compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) who proudly serves children and families in Charleston, South Carolina—her hometown. With a background in preschool special education, Jessica brings a deep understanding of early childhood development and a genuine love for helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

At Palmetto SpOT, Jessica specializes in pediatric therapy, with a passion for sensory integration and fine motor skill development. She is dedicated to creating fun, engaging, and supportive environments where children feel safe, confident, and celebrated for who they are. Jessica believes in meeting each child where they are and partnering closely with families to support meaningful progress every step of the way.

When she’s not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and their three boys. Whether at home or cheering from the sidelines at the baseball field, she treasures every moment with her family and brings that same warmth, energy, and encouragement into her work with the children she serves.

Haley Schaller

MS, CCC-SLP

I am originally from PA and received my undergraduate and graduate degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, I moved south to complete my Clinical Fellowship and to find warmer weather. Currently, in addition to seeing kiddos at SpOT, I work with older adults/geriatrics via home visits and telehealth. I am looking forward to continuing to gain experience in the pediatric setting. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, camping, running, and reading.

Heather Fludd

COTA

Heather Fludd joined our team, here at SpOT, in November of 2024. She has been providing Occupational Therapy services to a variety of clients for almost 25 years. Heather began her career working with preschool and school aged children in a daycare setting. She has worked in diverse settings and with diverse populations throughout her career. She returned to pediatrics work and found a dynamic and dedicated staff here at SpOT. She is a devoted mother (and homeschool teacher) of a sixteen-year-old boy and has been married to her sweetheart since 2009. She has used her OT background working with homeschool families and communities on a volunteer basis.

She has a small homestead that she runs with her family to include a large garden, chickens and ducks. Her furry children include 3 dogs and a cat. Heather values her faith, time with family, hard work and still finds time to have fun. When asked what she likes best about working at SpOT, she shares, "I am truly honored and privileged to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children and families I work with. Thank you for allowing me to serve your family.